A Jazeera Airways plane collided with a foreign object thought to be a tethered military balloon on its approach to Kuwait on Sunday. The aircraft – Flight J9787 from Riyadh – suffered damage to one of its engines when it came into contact with the structure, the airline said in a statement on Twitter.

However, it continued to operate normally and landed in Kuwait without mishap or injury. All passengers disembarked and a routine inspection uncovered the damage to the engine, the statement said.

The Civil Aviation Authority is now investigating the incident, with cooperation from Jazeera Airways, and the plane is under repair in Kuwait. The statement from Jazeera Airlines added: “The safety of our passengers and crew is of paramount importance to Jazeera Airways at all times.”

A detailed account of the incident from respected journal the Aviation Herald said the Jazeera Airways A320 was on approach to Kuwait International Airport when it was instructed to join a holding pattern due to another aircraft with a medical emergency being prioritised for landing.

The aircraft was cruising at 5,000 feet when it collided with the cable of a tethered balloon. The balloon reportedly deflated and fell to ground but the crew spotted no issues with the engine and continued to land.

It was later discovered that the aircraft had a sliced engine inlet and serious damage along the engine cowl, although the blades and operational parts were intact, the journal reported.

Arabian Business has contacted Jazeera Airways for additional information.